Democratic Party demands resignation of government

Luxembourg's Democratic Party (DP) has introduced a motion in parliament asking the entire government to resign.

11.06.2013

(CS) Luxembourg's Democratic Party (DP) has introduced a motion in parliament asking the entire government to resign.

The motion comes in light of the recent Luxembourg secret service (SREL) affair and the ongoing “Bommeleeër” investigation. A commission was charged earlier this year with an enquiry into the activities of the secret service since the 1960s.

According to the DP, the government has shown that it did not properly exercise its supervisory powers, being ill-informed on the SREL's activities.

Additionally, the DP said in an official statement, there has been a loss of trust between the executive and judiciary powers, which cannot be rebuilt in a credible manner.

Public confidence in the government has also been undermined, the liberal party said, adding that trust in the government was key at the current time of economic, financial and social challenges.

“Considering that the respect in the rule of law, the separation of powers as well as the good functioning and the independence of the institutions constitute the values on which the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is founded,” the party has asked the government to present its resignation to the Grand Duke.

With Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker currently on an official visit in Athens, the issue is unlikely to be discussed in Parliament until Thursday.

The same day, Finance and Communications Minister Luc Frieden is set to face the Chamber of Deputies and defend himself against allegations that he tried to push to a close the “Bommeleeër” trial during his time as Justice Minister.

Frieden has denied in the media that he exercised any pressure in the case, saying that he merely enquired after the progress of the case, trying to ensure that other important cases receive their due attention.

The Green Party meanwhile has also introduced a motion in parliament, saying that it is withdrawing its confidence in Frieden.